Translation guide
The English adverb "wholly" means completely, entirely, or fully. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various adverbs and adverbial phrases, with the most common being まったく (mattaku) and 完全に (kanzen ni). The choice depends on nuance: まったく emphasizes totality or absoluteness, 完全に emphasizes perfection or completeness, and other options convey degrees of exclusivity or thoroughness.
Expressing that something is done to the fullest extent or without exception.
The most common and versatile adverb for 'wholly' or 'completely'. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts, and often carries a sense of absoluteness.
His story is wholly unbelievable.
That's a wholly different issue.
Means 'completely' or 'perfectly', emphasizing that nothing is missing or flawed. Often used for states of completion or perfection.
The plan failed wholly.
He has wholly recovered.
Implies a complete change of state or that something is done thoroughly, often with a sense of 'all' or 'entirely'. Common in spoken Japanese.
I had wholly forgotten.
The town's appearance has wholly changed.
Kanji form of まったく. Same meaning and usage, but slightly more formal or written. Often used in negative sentences.
I wholly agree.
Means 'wholly' in the sense of 'not at all' when used with a negative verb. Emphasizes total negation. Often used in formal or written contexts.
I am wholly uninvolved.
Indicating that something is devoted to or consists of only one thing.
Emphasizing that every part or aspect is included.
A four-character compound meaning 'wholly' or 'thoroughly', literally 'from head to tail'. Emphasizes consistency or completeness throughout.
He is a wholly honest person.
まったく is more subjective and often used in expressions of feeling or judgment (e.g., まったく驚いた 'I was wholly surprised'). 完全に is more objective and used for states or processes (e.g., 完全に壊れた 'wholly broken'). In many cases they are interchangeable, but まったく can sound more emphatic or emotional.
That's wholly true. (emphatic agreement)
That's wholly true. (factual statement)
While 全部 (zenbu) means 'all' or 'everything', it is not a direct adverb for 'wholly'. Using 全部に to mean 'wholly' is unnatural. Instead, use adverbs like まったく or 完全に.
I am wholly in favor of the proposal.
The building was wholly destroyed by the fire.
She devoted herself wholly to her children.
This store deals wholly in imported goods.
専ら個人的な意見です。
This is wholly my personal opinion.